Senator Nwebonyi Says Current Political Climate Does Not Favour Igbo Presidency in 2027

Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi has stated that the current political arrangement in Nigeria does not favour an Igbo candidate becoming president in the 2027 general election.

The lawmaker, who represents Ebonyi North Senatorial District, made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television, where he discussed the political future of the South-East region and the prospects of former Anambra State governor Peter Obi.

According to Nwebonyi, the political realities ahead of the next presidential election have already influenced the decisions and alignment of many political actors and voters in the South-East.

Speaking during the interview, Nwebonyi argued that Obi’s presidential ambition faces major obstacles because the current national political structure does not support an Igbo candidate at this time.

The senator said many people in the South-East have already assessed the direction of national politics and adjusted their political positions accordingly. He maintained that regional political calculations and alliances currently favour President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections.

Nwebonyi said:

“Peter Obi is coming at the wrong time. Even if our son comes to contest, it is very clear that the political permutation, as at present, does not favour an Igbo man.”

He further predicted that Tinubu and APC candidates would perform strongly in the South-East during the next general election.

According to him:

“President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates will win the South-East come the 2027 general election. The reasons are abundant; Igbo people have seen it, and we have taken our position.”

The senator did not provide detailed electoral data or specific political agreements backing his position, but he insisted that growing support for the APC in the region is based on evolving political realities and strategic interests.

His comments come at a time when political discussions around the 2027 presidency are becoming more active across Nigeria, with several parties and political figures already positioning themselves ahead of the election cycle.

The question of whether the South-East should produce Nigeria’s president remains one of the most debated political issues in the country. Many supporters of Peter Obi and several political groups have argued that the region deserves an opportunity to lead the country as part of Nigeria’s informal power-sharing tradition.

Obi, who was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, gained significant support nationwide, particularly among young voters and urban residents. His campaign reshaped political conversations in Nigeria and increased national attention on South-East political participation.

However, some politicians believe the current political structure still favours larger party coalitions and established regional alliances dominated by the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party.

Nwebonyi’s statement also reflects ongoing divisions within the South-East over political alignment ahead of 2027. While some leaders continue to support Obi’s political movement, others are moving closer to the ruling APC, arguing that cooperation with the federal government could bring more development and political influence to the region.

The debate is expected to intensify as political parties begin consultations, coalition talks, and internal preparations for the next presidential race.

Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi’s remarks have added to the growing national debate over the 2027 presidential election and the political future of the South-East. By declaring that the current political arrangement does not favour an Igbo presidency, the senator signalled increasing confidence within some APC circles about their chances in the region.

While supporters of Peter Obi continue to push for stronger South-East representation at the national level, opposing political voices argue that existing alliances and electoral realities may make such ambitions difficult to achieve in 2027. As political activities gradually build toward the next election cycle, regional loyalty, party strength, and coalition-building are likely to remain central factors in determining the outcome.